Olympic champion Oksana Kazakova: Ilyina and Katsalapov need to ride together again

Series Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2016-2017 starts today at night. By tradition, it opens the stage in America (this time it will be held in Chicago), and then wait for the competition skaters in Canada, Russia, France, China and Japan. Final Grand Prix will be held 8-11 December in Marseille. A year ago, it took Barcelona. Ice in the capital of Catalonia proved to be lucky for Evgenia Medvedeva and a pair Ksenia pole and Fedor Klimov. Who can please the Russian fans at this Grand Prix? Olympic champion Oksana Kazakova told the correspondent of "Sports Day by Day", why she hopes Michael Kolyada and whether the duo Yuko Kawaguchi - Alexander Smirnov wary of under-assessment of their performance.

"At first, the girls need to be cured, and then train"

- Our most successful kind - women's single skating. However, the competition is a little lower. Adelina Sotnikova will participate in the television project by Ilya Averbukh.

- Olympic champion can do whatever he wants. But if you want to come back Sotnikova, then the experience will only benefit her. I believe that participation in the TV show gives a good push for further creativity, new ideas in the programs, the growth of artistry.

- And how to be with a sports component? After all, the show is not all really.

- It all depends on Adeline. If a person goes to show, it is possible that he was tired of the sport and want to take a break. Remember our beautiful pair Gordeeva / Grinko Mishkutenok / Dmitriev. They won the Olympic Games, then rode as a pro, went back to the fans and at the Games in Lillehammer took the first two places.

- Sotnikova only 20 years old. Had she already tired?

- In America, there were similar examples: Michelle Kwan, Sarah Hughes, Sasha Cohen. They won at an early age and went. If we talk about me, I was 22 years old went from the big sport. But for a different reason. My partner Artur Dmitriev was held for three Olympics and no longer wanted to stay in the amateurs.

- Do not feel sorry that so soon finished?

- Of course, sorry. But I wanted to ride with only Arthur. We then ten years were in the American professional show.

- You can participate in the show as Sotnikova, and then come in December in Chelyabinsk and make one wicket all rivals in the championship of Russia?

- Everything is possible, but miracles do not happen (laughs).

- Julia Lipnitskaya, on the contrary, very seriously preparing for the new season under the direction of Alexei Urmanova. Do you like her new look, her new ride?

- We see that the girl is inspired to fight. growing problem? Alexei Mishin in such cases, said: "The girls have to heal first, and then the train."

- St. Petersburg fans have high hopes for a successful performance of his pupil - world champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva.

- The figure skating is very cool to win the world championship. The only competition in our women's figure skating has become more serious. Girls grow very quickly. Previously, there was one skater for a four-year Olympic cycle, but now every year there is someone new. But there was a problem with the boys.

- Feel free to go into figure skating?

- Just do not show any outstanding results. Maybe someone has no incentive or not enough physical strength, and someone simply not given a quad jump.

- In St. Petersburg recently he appeared talented sculler Michael Kolyada ...

- I very much hope on it. Especially since he - student Valentina Chebotareva, my first coach. Michael is very artistic, jumpy, more or less stable, there is a character - he has everything to be a good skater.

The judges have not forgotten Kawaguchi and Smirnov

- It is already known that in 2017 Russian Figure Skating Championships will be held in St. Petersburg. Do you think this tournament will be of interest in the city on the Neva?

- I think yes. Many of my friends miss major competitions. On the grandstand show is always filled. Still, Peter - the cradle of figure skating.

- Where better to hold the championship of Russia: "Jubilee" and the Ice Palace?

- Both are good. The "Anniversary", probably will go more and more fans of the old system of figure skating. The new generation, on the other hand, are accustomed to the Ice Palace. It also accommodates larger. A "Jubilee" is more for the soul.

- Let's go back to the Russian team. In pair skating most talked about duo - 32-year-old German Aliona Savchenko and her new partner Bruno Musso.

Yevgeny Tarasov and Vladimir Morozov may challenge them?

- Savchenko have more experience than our children, but about partner Alena such can not be said. And I will be very happy if our duets to regain the lead in the pairs skating. Moreover, Tarasova and Morozov learn the "ultra-si elements" (elements of higher complexity -. "Sports Day by Day").

- What will happen with the duo of Tamara Moskvina - Yuko Kawaguchi and Alexander Smirnov?

- Before the injury partner they were competitive because Yuko and Alexander carried in his program two quadruple output. Now they need to just give time. They have already experienced athletes know the way to the top.

- There is no danger that the judges forgotten Yuko and Alexander, while they were not, and will adhere to its evaluation?

- They are already so long in the international arena that the judges have not forgotten them (smiles).

- This pair could break up several times. In your opinion, what holds them together?

- Crazy Love Yuko to figure skating. I also think they like to perform together. They were plagued by injuries, but they still are reborn like a phoenix from the ashes. I hope that this season Yuko and Alexander dokatat up medals at the European Championships. The main thing - do not get injured.

- Care Tatiana Volosozhar in the decree puts an end to their duo performances with Maxim Trankovym?

- Why? Many skaters gave birth to children and then returned to the ice. If Volosozhar and Trankov want to go to the "ultra-B elements," then they will return, no - will bring up the child.

- Good too. Let us now move on to the dancers. Returning from America duets Victoria Sinitsina / Nikita Katsalapov and Elena Ilyina / Ruslan Zhiganshin - a step backward?

- In America, a lot of pairs skating, creating a crazy competition and creates good results. Dancers are growing in technical terms. Maybe our duets were unable to compete. The Russian figure skaters are used to, that the coaches are busy with them personally. And probably a little spoiled in that respect. In America, this is not because large groups of trainers.

- How do you think it is possible reunion duet Ilinykh / Katsalapov?

- If I were in their place, and did. It cuts both ways. The pair - a family. When people can no longer see each other, they diverge. Not find them compromise. But for the sake of business, such as Olympic medals, you can be smarter. And be patient with each other.

- In general, this is possible, the partners together riding and ice outside not even communicate with each other?

- Of course, when there is mutual understanding and respect between partners, it is better. Otherwise, they will most likely not be able to do together. After all, this requires a sense.

| The theme

Calendar Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2016-2017

21-23 October. Skate America (Chicago, USA)

28-30 October. Skate Canada (Toronto, Canada)

4-6 November. Rostelecom Cup (Moscow, Russia)

11-13 November. Trophee de France (Paris, France)

November 18-20. Cup of China (Beijing, China)

25-27 November. NHK Trophy (Sapporo, Japan)

8-11 December. Final (Marseille, France)

The Russians - the participants Skate America

Men. Maxim Kovtun Sergei Voronov

Women. Serafima Serafima Sakhanovich